Written by Menswear Style in Grooming on the 12th May 2017

The stuff of manliness, a great beard can go a long way for our self-image. It doesn’t require much other than a little bit of patience and some grooming to look really good, no matter the length. A good beard takes a little bit of time to work out, so patience truly is a virtue. It is important to note that a good looking beard all starts with the shape of your face. There are considered to be five types of manly face, ranging from round to oval to diamond. Each style of beard offers something different, but not all of them look good on your face.

Starting Out 

Because you are going for any of the sixty-eight styles of beards, you should consider how the beard matches with your face shape. Some beards will look good on any face, like the various stages of stubble, but a Fu Manchu or an a la Suvorov may not suit your face. Keep in mind the general length of beard you want. Some beards will require meticulous maintenance, while others may only require trimming the stray hairs every once in a while. Consider your choice of profession, as they may deem some of the styles very unbecoming for that field. Cultivating your perfect beard starts with getting rid of any excess hairs.

What You Will Need 

Once you have made you mind up on which beard you want, it’s time to grow it out. If you are aiming for a stubble look, you may only want to allow it to grow for a few days or more. It will depend on the desired length. The longer you want your beard the less time you will be spending on maintaining your beard. However, there is a catch. You really should use a beard oil to help train your beard to go in the direction you want it to. Beard oils help to keep your beard more manageable by mimicking the natural oils that your skin produces. A man shall not forget the proper beard shampoo either, as the hair on the face is vastly different than the mop on top. Using a beard conditioner will help keep your skin and beard from drying out, as well as repairing patchy and uneven growth. Proper hygiene should never be overlooked, even when you are growing your beard out. A perfect beard needs to be tended, loved, and cultivated. It very rarely just lands squarely on your face.

Tools for the Job 

After you have started the growing, it comes down to trimming it as necessary. Like most things, cultivating the perfect beard requires the proper tools. You need a shaver of some sorts to keep the areas clean cut. Then you should consider the use of a trimmer for your shorter length beards. Trimmers are designed for use on shorter length hair, and most have an adjustable guard to help you keep it at a short length. They are not meant for use as a replacement to an electric shaver. Shavers are for shaving, trimmers are for cultivating. If you are going for a full-on beard, all the better. But your shaver and trimmer aren’t going to help you maintain a full beard. You will need a beard trimmer which is designed for longer beard hairs. You can also make good use of a beard comb and small scissors to trim the stray hairs, and a good beard brush to help keep it soft and manageable.

Let’s Get Growing 

The first week may be quite interesting, especially so if you have never grown a beard before. The initial growth of beard hair will feel anything but normal; which is sadly quite normal. At some point, it will begin to itch, like mad. The problem is that you cannot scratch at it. Scratching at it will at worse bring on an infection. There are some techniques you can employ to help reduce the itch. One is to wash it regularly, another is using that beard oil we mentioned earlier, and yet a third is to use a beard conditioner. Not to be left out, a very good moisturiser can definitely go a long way to minimising the itch. The itch however, will eventually die down and out; but it does take a while for the skin to get adjusted to having hair there. Now here’s the real hard part; trimming a beard. It may be all too tempting to shave it off because it itches so much. However, we will suck it up because we are manly men, and we will not allow our beard hairs to go wherever they want. Be mindful as you trim and manicure your facial fluff, there is a potential to have ingrown hairs, which could be a root cause of the itchiness. So, shaving is bad, trimming is good, and remember keep an eye out for ingrown hairs. Sadly, we will have to wait it out and allow it to grow out.

Getting Serious 

Hopefully you will be at a point in your beard that it isn’t causing you to be tied up in a strait jacket to prevent scratching. You should be well on your way to seeing the shorter version of your final beard style. It will get to the perfect length in time, but you shouldn’t neglect proper beard grooming. Developing a new regime and new habits will become key with maintaining your new beard. Remember to comb out your beard after meals, and take care of yourself. A beard’s growth is only part of being a man, how well it grows is also dependant on a proper diet and exercise routine. So, get plenty of rest and try to reduce your stress levels as your beard won’t like it.

Patience is the Key to Growing a Perfect Beard 

Growing the perfect beard for you can be one of the hardest things you will ever do. That itch can be quite frustrating, more so because you shouldn’t scratch at it. You should incorporate proper beard friendly items to help maintain it, like a beard oil and beard moisturiser. Both as well as proper washing, conditioning, and brushing it out can really help the itch and make your beard shine. It won’t happen overnight, and depending on your genes and diet; it might happen faster or slower than your neighbour. Remember to trim your beard at regular intervals so that it doesn’t look like it’s unkempt. As your beard grows, cultivate how it looks with the use of a beard trimmer which is designed with specific lengths in mind, so don’t be afraid to transition from one to the other.

A guide for men growing a beard in 2017, we provide informed advice on How to Grow the Perfect Beard.